Michigan Treasury Reminds Seniors About Tax Credits

by orionontv | Mar 26, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[DATE]

Contact: Ron Leix, Treasury, 517-335-2167

Michigan Treasury Reminds Seniors About Tax Credits and Other Benefits

Tax Professionals Can Help Connect Eligible Individuals with Tax Programs.

LANSING, Mich. – Older Michiganders have important tax credits and subtractions they can use this tax season to lower their tax bill or provide a refund, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

These eligible benefits include the Homestead Property Tax Credit, the Home Heating Credit and the Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction. Often, uninformed individuals may miss permitted tax deductions.

“I encourage seniors to seek out a qualified tax professional and investigate the Michigan tax benefits they may be eligible to receive,” State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said. “You may qualify for low to no cost tax assistance from IRS-trained and certified volunteers. Taking advantage of tax programs and available resources can lead to more income for groceries, prescriptions, housing costs and other needs on a fixed income.”

Homestead Property Tax Credit

The Homestead Property Tax Credit is a benefit for qualified Michigan homeowners and renters, helping to pay some of the property taxes billed.

This credit can be filed up to four years from the year it could be claimed and the maximum credit amount may be adjusted annually.

Details about your income, property and living situation impact the allowable credit amount. For guidance, visit Treasury’s new Homestead Property Tax Credit webpages.

Home Heating Credit

The Home Heating Credit is a tax benefit for qualified Michigan homeowners and renters with low to moderate income, helping to pay some of their heating expenses.

The maximum credit a taxpayer can claim may change each year. For qualifications and guidance, visit Treasury’s Home Heating Credit webpages.

Individuals who do not qualify for the Home Heating Credit may qualify for other assistance through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households with high energy bills, shut off notices and home energy repairs.

Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction

For retirees, the Retirement and Pension Benefits Subtraction is a reduction of all eligible retirement income from your Michigan taxable income. Retirement income is reported on Form 1099-R for federal tax purposes and includes defined benefit pensions, IRA distributions and most payments from defined contribution plans.

Tax Year 2024 is the second year of the retirement tax rollback phase-in. This new law allows you to choose the most advantageous subtraction for your retirement and pension benefits.

For qualifications and guidance, visit Treasury’s refreshed Retirement and Pension Benefits webpages. These pages include a Retirement and Pension Estimator that can help individuals determine the eligible deduction and subtraction with the greatest value.

Need Filing Assistance?

For assistance filing a tax return, seniors are encouraged to visit michiganfreetaxhelp.org, irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1. Connect with your local Area Agency on Aging to learn about tax support and services available in your area.

In addition, electronic filing and direct deposit is fast, convenient, and safe. Details are available at mifastfile.org.

Allow at least 4 weeks from the date you receive your e-filed state tax return confirmation to receive your refund.

Last year, of the approximately 5 million returns received by Treasury, Michigan taxpayers e-filed more than 91% of those returns. For more information about e-filing, go to mifastfile.org.

If your license or ID has a star, you are REAL ID ready

by orionontv | Mar 26, 2025 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2025

Contact:
Cheri Hardmon
MDOS Communications
[email protected]

Jessica Mayle
TSA Public Affairs
[email protected]

If your license or ID has a star, you are REAL ID ready

Travelers will need a compliant document to fly in U.S. starting May 7, 2025

LANSING, Mich. – As the federal deadline approaches, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said more than 73% of people with a Michigan driver’s license or ID have already upgraded to a REAL ID. Beginning May 7, all U.S. airlines will require a REAL ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight, and travelers without one could be delayed.

Michiganders can obtain a REAL ID, which is a license or ID marked by a star, by going to Michigan.gov/REALID to schedule an appointment at any Secretary of State office. The scheduling system will walk them through documents they will need to bring.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson encourages residents who do not have a REAL ID but may need one to apply soon, as it will take weeks to receive in the mail.

“Michigan is well above the national average in compliance with the REAL ID standard. If your license or ID has the star, you are REAL ID ready,” Secretary Benson said. “We want to ensure Michiganders are aware of the approaching deadline and can take the steps needed to avoid possible inconvenience and delays. The Michigan Department of State is ready and available to help Michigan residents easily convert their driver’s license to a REAL ID ahead of this deadline.”

Those who provide proper documentation will be issued a license or ID in Michigan’s new design, which features a REAL ID star indicator in the gold shape of Michigan. Older blue and green licenses and IDs that have the REAL ID star in a gold circle on them are also compliant.

The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and requires higher standards for identification. When the law goes into full effect May 7, 2025, a standard Michigan driver’s license or ID card no longer will be adequate to board an aircraft for a domestic flight or to enter military bases, nuclear power plants, or certain other federal facilities.

Many people have an ID that meets federal REAL ID standards, such as a valid U.S. passport, a Trusted Traveler card, or an enhanced driver’s license. Participation in the program is voluntary and anyone who doesn’t want a REAL ID will be issued a standard license or ID that can’t be used for federal identification purposes.

Upgrading a standard license or ID to a REAL ID is free if done during the normal renewal period. Otherwise, a card correction fee of $9 for a driver’s license or $10 for an ID is charged.

As of March 21, 73.5 percent of Michigan driver’s licenses and state ID cards are REAL ID-compliant. That includes enhanced driver’s licenses and IDs, which are REAL ID-compliant and can be used to cross the border into the United States from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. The indicator for an enhanced license or ID in Michigan is a U.S. flag icon.

When applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring:

Your driver’s license or ID.

Your certified birth certificate, with a raised seal or stamp issued by a governmental agency; your valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or an approved citizenship or legal presence document. (Faxes and photocopies won’t be accepted.)

If your name differs from what is on your birth certificate, bring certified documents, such as marriage licenses or court orders, for every time your name has changed.

The Michigan Department of State has been working with airports in Michigan for years to provide signage and other reminders to travelers about the upcoming deadline. The department also includes reminders about REAL ID on driver’s license and ID renewal notices and has completed several marketing campaigns about REAL ID over the past six years. Learn more at Michigan.gov/REALID.

Editors: Sample REAL ID graphic

Tariffs, automated vehicles and zero-emission planes

by orionontv | Mar 26, 2025 | Transportation

Talking Michigan Transportation (TMT) banner with the Mackinac Bridge.

Tariffs, automated vehicles and zero-emission planes

On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a repeat appearance by Joann Muller, the Detroit-based transportation correspondent for Axios. She talks about how tariffs are affecting the auto industry, how automakers are reacting and what the future might hold.

Futuristic plane Muller also shares insights from reporting on a new design for aircraft (a blended wing body airframe) that Delta Airlines and California-based Jet Zero say could make for net-zero emissions flying by 2050.

Lastly, she talks about driverless Uber vehicles in Austin, Texas, and other developments in the evolution of automated vehicles.

Muller also previews a new newsletter she’s launching, Axios Future of Mobility.

LISTEN NOW

Listen now at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205.

Stay connected by subscribing to Talking Michigan Transportation e-mail updates.

Way too early Football Top 24

by orionontv | Mar 25, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Way too early Football Top 24.

Written Tuesday March 26th at 10:10 AM

This is way too early for me to even think about with spring sports underway, here is the early top 24. I am including Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott even though they are not in the OAA yet. It is spring break and these are NOT the official rankings that comes in August.

Here is the Early Top 24 for NOW.

1. Adams: Highlanders have a ton of proven experience and proven young talent to make a deep run this fall.

2. Harper Woods: Pioneers have a ton of proven offensive talent, defense is a serious concern.

3. Stoney Creek: Cougars are the most dangerous team in the OAA.

4. Clarkston: Wolves have a ton of proven offensive talent, defense is a serious concern.

5. Lake Orion: Dragons have to find their identity, if they do look out.

6. West Bloomfield: Jamal Shakespeare has to do a ton for the Lakers.

7. Oxford: Wildcats have the talent but they don’t have a new coach yet.

8. North Farmington: Stone Trevino is a player to watch this fall.

9. Farmington: Falcons lost a ton but have some proven talent coming back.

10. Groves: Falcons lost a ton, have a lot of questions heading into fall.

11. Seaholm: Maples were young last season, this is a darkhorse in the White.

12. Bloomfield Hills: New Coach Scott Merchant should bring spice to the Blackhawks.

13. Rochester: Falcons have some questions heading into fall.

14. Southfield Arts and Tech: Can the Warriors make progress after a rough season???

15. Oak Park: Could this be the year the Knights put it all together???

16. Troy Athens: Could this be the year the Red Hawks put it all together???

17. Waterford Kettering: Coach Brian Barnes has done a great job with the Captains.

18. Waterford Mott: New coach means transition period which has to happen during the season.

19. Avondale: Changing systems is a serious concern for the Yellow Jackets.

20. Berkley: Coach Casey Humes needs his Bears to take the next step in his second year.

21. Ferndale: Eagles lost a ton of talent and have a new coach. Tough transition period is ahead.

22. Royal Oak: Ravens starting to develop identity, next step is a question mark.

23. Troy: Colts lost a ton of experience, will be very interesting to see who steps up.

24. Pontiac: Phoenix replacing a ton from last season.

OAA Enrollment Sheet is Out

by orionontv | Mar 25, 2025 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

OAA Enrollment Sheet is Out.

Written Monday March 24th at 3:11 PM

The OAA enrollment sheet is out for the 2025-2026 school year.

Here is the enrollment sheet which is the number of students each school has heading into the 2025-2026 school year. The enrollment sheet decides who’s in Divisions One, Two, and Three for all sports.

Troy 2285

Lake Orion 2140

Clarkston 2114

Troy Athens 1946

Rochester 1765

Oxford 1717

West Bloomfield 1708

Stoney Creek 1686

Bloomfield Hills 1630

Farmington 1576

Adams 1489

Royal Oak 1388

Southfield Arts and Tech 1305

Berkley 1215

North Farmington 1201

Groves 1162

Seaholm 1115

Waterford Mott 1077

Waterford Kettering 991

Avondale 960

Oak Park 905

Pontiac 770

Harper Woods 710

Ferndale 709

Ferndale University 442

Ferndale/Ferndale University combined 1151

Divisional Alignment All Sports except football 788 and up.

Division One

Lake Orion, Clarkston, Oxford, Troy, Troy Athens, Rochester, Adams, Stoney Creek, Avondale, Oak Park, Waterford Kettering, Waterford Mott, North Farmington, Farmington, Groves, Seaholm, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Royal Oak, Southfield Arts and Tech, Berkley.

Division Two

Pontiac, Harper Woods, Ferndale, Ferndale University

Football Only

Division One: 1400 and Above.

Lake Orion, Clarkston, Oxford, Troy, Troy Athens, Rochester, Stoney Creek, Adams, Farmington, West Bloomfield, and Bloomfield Hills.

Division Two: 1020 to 1399. ^ Co-Op, & Opted Up originally Division Three.

Royal Oak, Southfield Arts and Tech, Groves, Seaholm, Berkley, North Farmington, Waterford Mott, & Oak Park, ^ Ferndale.

Division Three: 589 to 1019.

Waterford Kettering, Avondale, Pontiac, Harper Woods.

Enrollment sheet

https://www.mhsaa.com/sites/default/files/Enrollment%20and%20Classification/202526enrollmentlist.pdf?time=1742841907036

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